Ryan Giggs ushered in a new era for United in October 1997 when the winger burst past a couple of Juventus defenders in the dying moments of the game before smashing the ball past the Juventus goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi and into the top corner.

Goals against LKS Lodz, Barcelona, Brondy and, of course, Juventus, from the Wales midfielder set United on course for probably their greatest ever triumph in Barcelona in May 1999.

Giggs scored United's opening goal in the first of two meetings with Barcelona in the group stages – both finishing 3-3 – while playing a pivotal part both domestically and in Europe in the club's Treble-winning campaign.

Giggs scored the crucial penalty in the shoot-out which preceded Edwin van der Sar’s save from Nicolas Anelka that secured the club’s third, and his second, European Cup.

The penalty in Moscow – when Giggs nervelessly sent Petr Cech the wrong way to put United on the brink of glory – encapsulated the mental strength which has been highlighted as one of the main factors in the midfielder's success and longevity.